YWR // Current TV

LOUD MOTORCYCLE CRACKDOWN - People Behaving Badly

Footage from a news story about SF enforcement of loud motorcycles, this video very... more

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Central District Newsletter-June 30, 2009

Central District Newsletter Captain James I. Dudley June 30, 2009 “Arm... more

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2 years ago
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4 comments

Rare Copy Of Declaration Of Independence Found

LONDON -- British researchers have announced the discovery of a rare original copy of... more

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A List of Corporate Lobbying by Jill Richardson

Want to see why we aren't getting single-payer health care, or any of the other... more

Incredulous
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What About The Boys? Male Issues Ignored in U.S. Culture

Growing up is tough. But for boys, it may be even tougher. While both boys and... more

singrrr
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2 years ago
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Poverty in the LGBT Community

Lyn Shimuzu, left, and her partner, Silvia Castellanos, right, play with a train set... more

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Is Twitter the news outlet for the 21st century?

NEW YORK — Cassy Hayes and Jasmine Coleman were among the first fans to arrive... more

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2 years ago
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5 comments

Public transit fare increases take effect

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Wednesday is the start of a new fiscal year for many Bay Area... more

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Aspiring Lawyer Finds Debt Is Bigger Hurdle Than Bar Exam

All his life, Robert Bowman wanted to be a lawyer. He overcame a troubled childhood, a... more

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Are Subways Making You Deaf?

Not surprising, but still troubling: A new study from the University of Washington and... more

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2 years ago
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5 comments

Noisy thugs beat up dad after he asked for quiet

NOISY neighbours turned into a pack of violent thugs when they were asked to turn... more

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2 years ago
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Progressive Politics and the LGBT Movement

What can the progressive movement learn from the LGBT community? On the 40th... more

GRITtv
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2 years ago
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Bring Current News and Vicky BACK TO CURRENT TV!

We want the Hourly Current News Program with our lovely Robot Voice, Vicky, BACK on... more

DeliaTheArtist
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2 years ago
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144 comments

A Green Way to Dump Low-Tech Electronics

This month, Edward Reilly, 35, finally let go of the television he had owned since his... more

current89
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2 years ago
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A Locavore's Fourth: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Really Fresh Produce

Is eating locally produced food a civic duty?

sickinjersey
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2 years ago
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Obama takes Health Care debate out of Washington

WASHINGTON — With Democrats deeply divided over health legislation, President... more

current89
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2 years ago
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2 comments

Moral Health Care vs. "Universal Health Care

Politicians from across the political spectrum, including Democratic presidential... more

vizzzzzance
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2 years ago
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69 comments

Rising sea level to submerge New Orleans coastline by 2100, study warns

A vast swath of the coastal lands around New Orleans will be underwater by the dawn of... more

jefftego
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2 years ago
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The Impacts of Mountain Top Removal: A Personal Story by Maria Gunnoe

A personal perspective from one who lives in Boone County, West Virginia:

Published on Monday, June 29, 2009 by CommonDreams.org
MTR: Destroyer of Mountains, Streams, Wildlife, and Communities
The Impacts of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining on Water Quality in Appalachia.

by Maria Gunnoe
The following was submitted as prepared testimony to the The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife on Thursday, June 25, 2009:

My name is Maria Gunnoe. I am 40 years old and I am a life long resident of Boone County in southern West Virginia. My family history there goes back to the 1700's. I know the areas and the people that are being impacted by mountaintop removal very well simply because this is the homeland where generations of our ancestors before me have raised their families and lived their lives. Most of these families have depended on underground coal mining to make a living but we as a culture of people have depended on these mountains to take care of our families. We are gatherers, hunters, gardeners, fishermen, active and retired miners, loving community members, we are stewards of this land and we are now organizers. We are working to protect and preserve the communities, culture and people that we love and hold dear to our hearts

Water Quality Impacts

There is a relatively new method of mining now happening in the coal fields of Appalachia called mountaintop removal coal mining. This method of mining is where the coal companies use nearly 4 million pounds of blasting material a day (in WValone) to blast the coal out of the mountains. Then everything other than the coal (including trees and topsoil) is used to create valley fills in our headwater streams. The artificial streams running off these sites are toxic with selenium.

The energy is temporary energy. You only burn coal one time. The destruction of the land, air, communities and people is permanent. There have been 500 mountains leveled for their coal and energy in the name of homeland security. These 500 mountains were surrounded by communities who depended on the mountain's resources and water for their very existence. There have now been more than 2000 miles of streams buried by valley fills. People depended on these streams as much as any animals. The cumulative impact of the permits that are being allowed in some incidents are further depopulating and destroying communities and people. The regulatory agencies turn a blind eye to this pollution by continuing to allow the companies to buy more time to come in compliance with the existing laws. Without enforcement these laws are only words on paper.

Local communities truly do not have a voice in the process of these permits. The DEP will set up what is called an informal conference to inform citizens of what the DEP and coal companies are planning to do and to give community members a chance to comment. These comments are recorded and we are told that they become a part of the permit record. In these hearings the citizens often beg the regulatory agencies to not allow these permits but commonly they approve every permit applied for. The people who live in these communities do not want mountaintop removal mining. Especially near their homes and communities simply because it is destroying everything they and their families before them have worked for.

In the 8 years of the Bush Administration the laws and courts were aligned to destroy any protection that we had for these beautiful and unique places and their people. The clean water act lost its meaning when the Bush Administration changed one word of this law - the definition of fill material. Another important rule, --the buffer zone rule- that protected our streams was done away with on the eve of Christmas 2008. With this rule change the Bush Administration opened us as residents up to nothing but destruction."

continued below or at link above...A personal perspective from one who lives in Boone County, West Virginia: Published... more

SeaJade
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2 years ago
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'Low cost and low carbon' Renewable House officially opened

The house that has been built at the BRE Innovation Park is a detached three bedroom... more

JackHerer
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2 years ago
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1 comment

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